December 10, 2015

When it's time to buckle down and get serious about cookie production (and by that, I mean simply that December begins), I like to set myself up so that my cookie-making is as efficient as possible.

That means that I'll often make a huge batch of a cookie base, whether it's plain ol' sugar, chocolate chip, chocolate, or oatmeal cookie dough. From that, I can portion out and make several smaller batches with any number of mix-ins, from M&Ms to morsels to dried fruit to bacon bits.

Let your imagination run wild! Monster cookies are a hit with my family, but regular oatmeal scotchies are an all-time favorite for many, including me. Slipping in some porky, salty bacon might shock some palates, but I think everyone will come to appreciate its unique contribution to the mix. One of my best combinations to date has been dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a bit of orange zest, but your mileage may vary. Regardless, have fun, and make cookies!

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